Archive for the Culture category.
In India, it’s possible to feel the pulse of the universe, and in Delhi, it beats out loud. Delhi is one of the most magnificent cities in the world, with one of its largest and most populated urban areas. There is everything here, and sometimes everything at once. It is an exhilarating experience to just sit and people watch for an afternoon, where the whole human drama plays itself out almost daily. It is also a fantastic place to take a vacation, offering a view into other worlds, and there is something here to captivate everyone. For the traveler who wants to see the city from the lap of luxury, five star hotels in Delhi are the way to go.
Offering the finest amenities available, and meeting or exceeding the highest standards in the industry, our hotels offer a spectacular level of hospitality and service. Your stay here will delight you as much as the city will enchant you. Waking up and falling asleep in splendidly furnished room, you’ll be able to sample a meal of exceptional taste, prepared by world class chefs, before venturing out to meet what Delhi has to offer you. Delhi has everything, and guests of all ages will find some absolutely splendid treasures here, and usually things that cannon be bought. The art is particularly compelling, and at this moment in India’s history, there are some traces of activity that suggest some new radical movements are in the making. Whether the medium is painting or installation art, Delhi has spectacular artists, and extremely astute critics, such as Geeta Kapur.
She writes and curates in all forms, but is more focused on video and video installation in metropolitan India. She has taught and lectured widely, from the University of Delhi to Cambridge and back again, and is one of the most respected contemporary critics in the field of art theory. Her writings about the works you might see here are certainly worth looking into, and it’s a very auspicious sign to see Geeta Kapur’s name on the list of curators at an exhibition. She has juried on such prestigious panels as the Venice and Dakar Biennales. Her writing is very dense, dancing around ideas of film in a rather ethereal way, and suddenly the writing gets solid, and lands in a poetic space that is lovely and challenging, much like the art she curates.
When it comes to boutique hotels, South Africa offers a sumptuous variety. It is a truly amazing country, with a fascinating and very difficult history. It is extremely diverse, with a wide range of languages, cultures, and styles. The big cities have very lively centers, with a wide array of activities and distractions to keep the entire family busy. The bush is absolutely stunning, with varieties of flora and fauna that do not exist anywhere else on earth. Then of course, there’s the beach. Considered to be some of the most pristine beaches in the world, it’s easy to see why South Africa is the Motherland for so many people. Our boutique hotels are extremely distinctive, offering unique and individual features and amenities that give you a perfect home away from home from which to enjoy your time here.
South African culture is as varied as the cultures. There are musical styles that come from all over the continent, and all over the world, in a continuing evolution of sound and rhythm. Performance traditions are also extremely varied, and have influences from all the corners of the world. For visual art, it’s also an open field, where innovation sometimes trumps over tradition and sometimes it’s the opposite. One of South Africa’s most prominent (to the pride of some and the embarrassment of others) artists is the outspoken Kendell Greers.
Kendell Greers is a performance artist, installation artist, and filmmaker. He also works in the field of cultural critique, and often uses his installation work as a provocation to speak publicly about issues that are often extremely topical and relevant. He claims his birthdate in 1968, a pivotal year for this generation, and was exiled for a time from South Africa. His work reflects an engagement with the contemporary world in all its mystical and material forms and problems. The work of Kendell Greers is often very provocative, and some critics charge that he is a narcissist, concerned only with bringing attention to himself, but it is difficult to dismiss his deftness at playing with the most important icons of the time, and speaking the obvious when no one else has the courage.
Thomas Raffles stepped into Singapore almost two hundred years ago. When the government was set up on the island it was set on the banks of the Singapore River, where it still stands today. This is located in what is known as the Colonial District. There are many monuments and historical sites that are located in this neighborhood, each of them reflecting a bit of the rich heritage and history of the island.
In this district one will find a Singapore restaurant to suit ones culinary desires as well as large shopping malls, museums and galleries, cafes and pubs, all set within the incredible architecture and historical buildings and homes. It is the neighborhood that still provides the influences of the British, as well as the traditional Singaporean aspects such as the rickshaw drivers and the hawker stands.
The river has been the life line for the country for hundreds of years, as far as commercial and economic industries go. Raffles is honored along the river by a large stature, and his house still stands on the hill that it was constructed upon, two hundred years ago in Fort Canning Park. One of the best night time walks is to stroll along the river banks and take in the beauty of the skyline as it sits just on the other side.
While standing in the Colonial District, and looking across at the skyscrapers of the business district, one is immediately and at once, in the old world witnesses the modern world. Located in the area of the Padang, are many museums and historical buildings such as the Old and the New Parliament House, as well as the Raffles Hotel, historical churches and the Esplanade, home to the Theatres on the Bay. Art and culture is found in the Colonial District as well as the history of the hard work of those who labored in the past along the docks and in the warehouses. This is just one of the areas of the island, where history is located on every corner.
Winchester is located in southeast England in the county of Hampshire. As with most cities and areas in the country, there are many historical elements that contribute to the contemporary atmosphere and social orientation. Historically, Winchester has been something of a cathedral town, and the architecture is incredible and testifies its incredible history. Many of the Winchester hotels are situated in historic buildings and this contributes to their guests sense of the city’s time transcendence and past.
The Winchester Cathedral is one of its central landmarks and major attractions for tourists. This incredible building complex is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. Incredibly, it was built in 1079 and has stood strong through many wars and social transitions. It houses the remains of some of England’s most significant figures including that of many of the Anglo Saxon Monarchs and a number of Bishops of Winchester. One of the more mainstream persons whose remains rest here are that of writer Jane Austen. In addition, the cathedral has served as a major pilgrimage destination and was the home of the shrine to Saint Swithun. There is an historical pilgrims way that begins in Winchester and ends in Canterbury.
The sacred designation of this site dates back prior to the cathedral’s official construction beginnings. It was officially founded in the middle of the 7th century, though this actual site was adjacent to it current location. This early version was known as the Old Minister and in 971 it was included as part of a monastic settlement. The Old Minister was demolished with the construction of this Norman complex. William II is one of the early monarchs to be buried in the cathedral’s mortuary, along with his brother Richard, the Duke of Bernay. Tourists are amazed with its size and grandeur and flock to this historic wonder every year.
For tourists on the lookout for splendid stays in splendid five-star hotels, Goa has much to offer. The accommodations are a reflection of the place, with a wonderful combination of hospitality and amenities, giving the best of all possible worlds. The decor is impeccable, with a sense of design that meets international standards of excellence while also maintaining local flavor. Service is also world-class, and will make the guests feel very welcome and always comfortable. Then there is the place. With a fabulous reputation among travelers, excellent beaches, and a very lively local scene, there is always something to do. The whole family can find a wide range of amusements here, with tours and sight-seeing, and people watching is at a premium.
While out on the town, it would be a good time to see some of the historical sites here. Goa has a rich and complicated history, with a mix of cultures. Walking through the streets, one might find oneself walking in the footsteps of the ghost of one of its famous sons, Abbé Faria. He was born in Candolim, District of Bardez, Goa in 1746 to Portuguese Goan parents. When he was 15 years old, his father took him to Lisbon to begin study for the priesthood. There is a very famous story about him there, when he was to give a sermon before the Queen, D. Maria I. He felt tongue-tied, and could not speak, and his father whispered to him, “Hi sogli baji, cator re baji,” which translates to, “THey are vegetables, cut the vegetables.” At these words, he found his voice.
Although it was certainly far from his father’s mind, it gave Abbé Faria an idea. If an utterance from his father was enough to cure his stage-fright, then there was the possibility that merely suggesting something to someone could unlock enormous mental capacities. This idea became known as the power of suggestion, and it was central to his work after this. While Mesmer, the Parisian hypnotist, was doing live performances using magnetism to induce hypnosis, Abbé Faria began doing live acts of hypnosis based on the power of the spoken word. He died before he could complete his scholarly works, but the idea is enough to have influenced schools of contemporary psychology. Mustard Seed Art Company in Goa has done a theatre piece about him as part of his 250th birthday celebration, and Alexandre Dumas created a character, Edmond Dantas, in his Count of Monte Cristo.
Singapore is a most magical island, filled with all that is enchanting in nature, stylistic in architecture, and modern conveniences such as in the industry of business, marketing and investments with any private bank. Singapore manages to blend all this modernity with a sense of tradition that is embraced and celebrated. One of the best ways to get an idea of the culture and the people is to simply walk around the island. There is a Garden of Fountains located on the island, that is filled with sparkling white lights, and dancing fountains set to music and colors, the one specific show that draws tourists and spectators is the Dance of Fire, that utilizes modern technology of lasers and lights and sound, and has been compared to a ballet set in fountains and water.
One can catch incredible views of night skyline from atop either the Merlion Monument or from the viewing towers at the Dragon Court. The city is a true kaleidoscope of color and beauty, a cultural blend of entertainment, and activity that includes parties on the beach, sculptures made of sand, festivals of dance and music as well as concerts that include pop stars and the impresarios of the classical world of symphony. International sporting tournaments and events are also a popular draw for tourists. There are many options for accommodation, from luxury spas and resorts to boutique smaller family owned hotels, and bed breakfasts.
There is also quite a range of restaurants, from the many fine dining restaurants offering up Thai and Chinese cooking, to the best of Seafood and Sushi spots and the delightful hawker stands. Singapore and the surrounding islands offer up something for every economic strata, from five star luxury to low cost activities, that will provide everyone with the opportunity to live it up once they reach the islands. Transportation around the island is easily attainable as well, from the buses and taxis to the trains and the monorails. Each day is filled with a new adventure when visiting the island, for the first time, or the first time of many trips back to the fascinating and the exotic South East.
On the prowl for the perfect boutique hotel? Cape Town will offer some fantastic choices. The hotels here are splendid in style and blend traditional with contemporary urban designs to make your nesting place a feast for the senses. Dine and relax in comfort and luxury as you enjoy some of the most sophisticated and time-tested methods for rejuvenating the body and the spirit. Cape Town is an amazing place, with an exciting city that doesn’t sleep. But you should sleep, because you’ll be staying in the lap of luxury, and adventures will wait for you to take a long and well-deserved rest.
When you are out on the town, however, rest assured that you will be treated to some of the most interesting urban excitements in the world. Cape Town has an incredible music scene, whose talents reflect the history of South Africa. Some of the liveliest bands here will freely mix rhythms and styles from Europe and the U.S. with local tribal sounds that reinvent rock and roll and jazz all over again, and there are dozens of African musical inventions every week, constantly redefining the world beat. It begins in Africa, of course. There are also culinary adventures here, and although the world is too large to try everything, one can certainly make an attempt. Some of the boldest foods here are extremely local. Sampling the menu from the indigenous Xhosa tradition will make the carnivorous eaters extremely happy, and knocked nearly sensible for a time.
Restaurants like Masande specialize in presenting Xhosa food to a wide local and international population, but their trademark is the “authenticity” of the food. Heavy meat stews, pumpkins, beans, and dumplings populate the dishes here. Masande means “let us prosper,” and the sentiment is always welcome. Another Xhosa restaurant is Aanamkela, which has won awards for its distinctive take on local spice. Imvelo is one of the most-mentioned of these, and should be tested, perhaps multiple times. There is a fantastic array of Xhosa restaurants, and all of these will give a taste of a school of cooking secrets that has been in development for centuries upon centuries. Their menus will please the curious traveler and surprise the taste buds that claim to have seen it all before.
There is something exquisite about a boutique hotel in Singapore. It suggests that the good life has suddenly become a priority, and moments of great beauty matter. The hotels are superbly designed for comfort and luxury, presenting visually pleasing decor along with the amenities that make waking and sleeping a joy. The rest here is complete, and rejuvenating, preparing you to take in the sights of the city around you.
It is a fantastic metropolis. One of the most easy countries in the world to live, and one of the most cutting-edge in terms of trends and styles, there is so much to see here that it is really rather stunning. There is great art, great restaurants, and beautiful vistas everywhere. If you’re lucky enough to be traveling in the beginning of Summer, you should absolutely make time for the Singapore Arts Festival.
Begun in 1977, the Singapore Arts Festival presented new works by local artists who were on the verge of making interesting careers as art-makers. The festival was conceived as a way to showcase these works, and to bring attention to Singapore as an artistic center. The festival, after three decades, is hugely successful. The Singapore Arts Festival has helped to give Singapore an identity as a major force in the art world at large. The festival now has categories for theatre, dance, music, visual art, and works that cross and combine disciplines. Critics and audiences from around the world come to see the talent at work here. It is still devoted to showcasing the best of Singapore, but also shows cutting edge work from around the globe. They have their own bloggers, in the tradition of other theater festivals, who help audiences sort out the multitude of work that can be seen here. Truly a communal event, attendance at the Singapore Art Festival means a connection to a larger global community engaged in a fantastic artistic conversation.
Visitors on the lookout for five-star Kolkata hotels will find many splendid choices. The hotels here are fantastic combinations of old-world hospitality and the amenities of the absolutely modern lifestyle. Guests will be surrounded by splendor, with amazing design and style to make the stay here comfortable and rejuvenating. There are also plenty of technological conveniences to keep one well-connected with the virtual world.
Kolkata itself is an amazing metropolitan center. One of the largest cities in India, and one of the largest in the world, there are thousands of opportunities to have adventures every day. People watching here is also a premium. There are wonderful tours and plenty of sights to see, and the curious traveler will find consistent sources of fascination. India is home and the beginning to many traditions. India is the birthplace of yoga, and the spiritually-inclined can find a lot of history here. One of the oldest operating institutes of yoga instruction in Kokata is Yoga Cure Institute. Run by Shib Nath De and Rooma De, focus is given to Asanas, Pranayam, meditation and relaxation. Both are disciples of Buddha Bose, who founded the institute here in 1937.
When he was 16 years old, Buddha Bose began studying Hatha yoga from Swami Kuvalananda. Bishnu Charam Ghosh took special interest in him, and began to train him. When Buddha Bose met Bishnu Charam Ghosh’s brother, Paramhansa Yogananda, he shifted his focus from Hatha to Kriya Yoga, and this is the philosophical beginning of the Yoga Cure Institute. Kriya yoga is focused on three basic tenets of yoga: Karma, Jnana, and Bhakti, and through this combination of principles, the students of yoga are set on a path toward self-realization. The Yoga center attracts students from all over the world, and studying this ancient science in the heart of India is a beautiful opportunity to learn at the hands of masters.
For years we’ve heard about the annual tomato wars held at a small Spanish town called Bunol just outside of Valencia. Finally, my friends and I made plans to go this year. The World Tomato Domination happens on the last Wednesday in the month of August and approximately 30,000 people descend on this village with approximately a quarter-of-a ton of ripe squishy tomatoes. The goal: to throw, toss, lobby, project and splatter as many tomatoes into as many people as you possibly can.
This annual festival, La Tomatina, has been continuing since 1944. It has no known significance and no apparent logic, except that it’s an all-out tomato war. Where ever it came from, it’s now the most popular festival with which people from all over the world either come to watch or to participate. We, of course, will participate. When we arrived at one of the 5 Star Hotels Valencia has, we made sure to do our research by casually asking all the locals about their personal strategies. Most of them told us they really had no ’strategy’, but that there are some rules to follow. Like the tomatoes had to be squashed into a juicy mess before throwing, that way the results fair better when it hits another person. We should wear goggles or we can even where snorkel equipment. That under no circumstances can we throw any hard objects. Other than that, it’s pretty much every man and woman for themselves. Subsequent tomato wounds, waste, stains, spillage are all the consequence of an excellent tomato fight.
For tomorrow is the last Wednesday of August, my friends and I are prepared, goggles in hand, matching purple color t-shirts with the logo ‘Killer Tomato’ on the front and backs so we can recognize each other and an eagerness barely contained; we are ready for the biggest food fight the world has to offer.